Data from the OECD alongside various Australian Institute For Teaching and School Leadership surveys show that we have a behaviour crisis in Australian classrooms. Therefore, it’s no surprise that classroom management can feel like a daily battle for many Australian teachers. Whether it’s keeping students on task or dealing with disruptions, it can be exhausting. However, we all know that a well-managed classroom is key to creating a space where students can learn and grow.
At MarkSmart, we’ve lived and breathed the profession, so we get it. We’re here to support you with practical classroom management strategies that actually work, including the implementation of a handy digital tool to make teaching life a little easier.
6 Effective Classroom Management Strategies
Implementing effective classroom management helps maintain order in your classroom while enhancing student engagement, motivation, and academic achievement. Here are six proven classroom management strategies that can transform your teaching experience, creating a positive and productive atmosphere for both you and your students.
1. Establish Clear Expectations
One of the first steps to effective classroom management practices is setting clear expectations. When students know what’s expected of them, they’re more likely to follow the rules and engage positively. Clear expectations help create a sense of structure and stability, which is central to maintaining a calm, orderly, and positive classroom environment.
Start from day one. Clearly outline your classroom rules and expectations with your students. Whether it’s raising hands to speak, respecting each other’s space, or completing homework on time, make sure your students know what you expect of them. Once you’ve set expectations, stick to them.
Consistency in enforcing rules helps students understand that boundaries are in place and that there are fair consequences for breaking them. This consistency builds trust and respect between you and your students.
Practical example: In a Year 10 English class, you aim to create a focused environment for group discussions from the start of the term. You engage the class in a conversation about what respectful dialogue looks like and why it’s important for deeper learning. Together, you co-create a set of expectations, such as giving full attention to the speaker, waiting for a pause to contribute, and using language that advances the discussion.
Throughout the term, you reinforce these expectations consistently by referencing the shared goals you’ve established together.
2. Build Positive Relationships
Positive relationships are the cornerstone of effective classroom management practices. When students feel respected and valued, they’re more likely to respect their teacher and peers, leading to a more harmonious and cooperative learning environment. Building these relationships doesn’t just make your job easier; it actually enhances student engagement and motivation.
Make an effort to connect with your students on a personal level. Learn their names quickly and use them often. Show interest in their hobbies, interests, and concerns. Simple gestures like greeting students at the door, acknowledging their efforts, or asking about their weekend can go a long way in establishing a rapport.
Keep the lines of communication open and be genuinely available when students need support or guidance. Being a fair and empathetic listener builds trust, making students feel safe and understood. This trust is essential, as it promotes an environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and asking questions.
When students see you as approachable and genuinely interested in their well-being, they’re more likely to respond positively and adhere to classroom expectations. This positive dynamic not only supports effective classroom management but also contributes significantly to student learning and overall success.
Practical example: Imagine you have a student who frequently interrupts lessons with jokes. You choose to have a one-on-one conversation after class, during which you recognise their enthusiasm and creativity, but you also explain the impact on the learning environment.
You might say, ‘I appreciate your energy and creativity. However, it’s important that we maintain a focused environment where everyone can learn without interruptions. Let’s find a way to channel your humour appropriately so it adds to our classroom community rather than disrupts it.’
3. Engage Students in Learning
Engaging students is at the heart of successful classroom management techniques. When students are actively involved in their learning, they’re less likely to become distracted or disruptive. Keeping lessons dynamic and interactive helps maintain student interest and makes the classroom a more exciting place to be. Use a variety of teaching methods, like group work, hands-on activities, and discussions, to cater to different learning styles and keep students engaged.
It’s also important to connect the material to real-life situations that are relevant to students’ experiences. Relating lessons to their interests or current events, for example, can make learning more meaningful and memorable. Encouraging student participation through questions, projects, or presentations gives them a sense of ownership over their learning.
According to the Australian Education Research Organisation, these approaches enhance students’ understanding of the subject matter, while reducing the likelihood of misbehaviour.
Practical example: Suppose you’re teaching a Year 8 English class on persuasive writing. Instead of just explaining the structure and techniques, you could organise a class debate on a current issue, such as environmental conservation or social media’s impact on youth. You could assign students different positions to research and then have them present their arguments.
4. Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is a key classroom management strategy that effectively encourages good behaviour. Recognising students for their efforts and achievements makes them feel valued and motivates them to continue positive actions, helping to create a supportive learning environment. Being specific about what behaviour is being rewarded makes the praise more impactful. For example, saying ‘I appreciate how you waited your turn to speak during the group discussion’ clearly identifies the positive behaviour, encouraging students to continue doing it.
Tangible rewards, such as a points system, can motivate students to meet classroom expectations. Consistent use of positive reinforcement as part of your classroom management strategies helps establish a culture of respect and cooperation, enhancing the overall learning environment.
Practical example: Imagine you’re teaching a Year 10 English class and want to encourage thoughtful participation in discussions about historical events. You could implement a token economy where students earn points for providing insightful comments or asking relevant questions about the topic being studied.
At the end of each term, students with the most points could receive a reward, such as a choice of a novel, free time, or computer access.
5. Implement Structured Routines
Structured routines are fundamental to effectively managing a classroom. When students know what to expect, they often feel more secure and are less likely to become disruptive. Establishing routines for daily activities, such as entering the classroom, transitioning between tasks, and ending the class, can significantly enhance the overall classroom environment and student behaviour.
At the beginning of the school year, you may introduce routines for common activities, such as distributing materials and submitting assignments. Clearly explaining these procedures helps students understand what you expect of them and reduces confusion and off-task behaviour.
Consistently following the same routines reinforces students’ understanding of classroom expectations and builds a sense of reliability and safety, which is especially important for students who may feel anxious or overwhelmed by changes.
Practical example: In a Year 11 English class, you could establish a routine where each lesson begins with a brief review of the previous day’s content, followed by a quick outline of the day’s objectives. An excellent way of engaging students in this recap is to generate class discussion by asking direct questions relating to the content being studied.
6. Implement Digital Tools
Integrating digital tools like MarkSmart, a code-based marking software, into your classroom management strategies can significantly enhance teaching efficiency and improve student outcomes. By providing consistent, high-quality feedback through standardised marking, MarkSmart supports a structured and organised learning environment. Additionally, the reduced marking workload, by up to 40%, allows you to spend more time interacting with students, reinforcing positive behaviours, and managing your classroom dynamically.
Using MarkSmart also contributes to classroom management by enhancing teacher well-being, which is imperative for maintaining a positive learning environment. When you have more time and energy because of streamlined marking processes, you can focus more on necessary classroom management skills, such as effective communication, conflict resolution, active listening, and positive reinforcement, which help maintain a well-organised and supportive learning environment.
The flexibility to mark assessments from anywhere further supports teachers in managing their workload effectively, contributing to a more balanced and less stressful teaching experience, which in turn positively affects classroom dynamics.
Practical example: In a Year 9 English class, students submit essays through MarkSmart. You then use the software to provide targeted, actionable feedback on their writing skills, emphasising areas such as creativity, argument development, and clarity. This specific feedback motivates students to improve while supporting feedforward learning, where students apply the feedback to enhance future assignments.
By analysing data from MarkSmart, you identify common strengths and areas for improvement, adjust lesson plans to address these needs, and create a more engaging and productive classroom environment.
Level up your classroom management with MarkSmart
Effective classroom management is vital for creating a positive and productive learning environment. By focusing on classroom management strategies discussed in this article, like building strong relationships, engaging students actively, providing constructive feedback, maintaining structured routines, and effectively implementing digital tools, you can enhance both student success and your own teaching experience.
MarkSmart is proud to support these efforts by streamlining the marking process, helping you provide precise feedback, while allowing you to spend more time on what truly matters—teaching and connecting with your students.
Best of all, you can try MarkSmart for FREE for three months and see the benefits for yourself before committing. Get started today!